Anyone connected to new UPC network in Ballinteer?

VERYinterested

I have posted before about my problems getting (analogue) BBC 2 reception clearly in Ballinteer. Poor signal due to DAB Radio and old leaky cable in the area. In July 2007 our estate and surrounding ones were re-wired to receive the new fibre optic cable. Fast forward 12 months and there has been a huge amount of work in the area, but we are still not connected to it. I got a call from UPC saying that the area has been passed for Phone and Broadband, great I said, when will we be connected to the new network? She did not know what I was talking about. We got letters recently saying that we will need to re-tune some channels in order to view them correctly. Anyone actually get connected to the new network?

paulm17781

They do all the connections in the headend. You're quite possibly on the new cabling. When you retune your TV the problems may clear up.

You're not actually being connected to a new network. They're replacing their old network. Once you retune it should be better.

Alun

I thought the retuning thing had to do with retuning CH4, E4 and Discovery which move to higher frequencies in the upgraded areas. BBC2 stays in the same place IIRC. Here in Bray BBC2 can sometimes be unwatchable on Analogue mainly due to over-the-top saturated colours .. not sure what the reason is.

VERYinterested

paulm17781 wrote: »

They do all the connections in the headend. You're quite possibly on the new cabling. When you retune your TV the problems may clear up.

You're not actually being connected to a new network. They're replacing their old network. Once you retune it should be better.

Thanks Paul, when I look up at the house there is the old black cable going in to the old head and the same two wires are connecting me and my neighbour as always. Above that cable is the nice new grey cable and head that they installed last July 12 months with nothing connected to it, surely they must connect us to that new head?

Alun you are right those channels are the ones referred to in the letter we got, no mention of BBC 2, but there has not been a necessity to re-tune yet as they are all coming in loud and clear (except BBC2).

paulm17781

You could well be right. The sad thing is the girl on the other end of the phone probably doesn't know either. I live in the city so all my cables are underground, I never saw the upgrade work it was just there. Maybe see if you can get them to send someone out? Do you have / want broadband with them? If you need to use the new cables for this, they would have to connect you to them.

VERYinterested

I will possibly use them for Broadband in the future but am very happy with eircom at the moment and am contracted for another 6 months. I just want them to give us the improved service they promised a long time ago and we shouldn't have to upgrade to more expensive options to avail of the basic service we are paying for, but I take your point, that would definitely force their hand.

paulm17781

FWIW, the broadband is excellent. I have the 20Mb package which is way cheaper and faster than Eircom's one. I kind of hate UPC but it's tasty broadband.

I'd say see if you can get someone out to connect you. Since I've never had to have the updating cabling cross my property, I don't know how it works. If you're not connected, someone would have to connect you. Try to get UPC to send someone out.

DingDong

VI your road has been release so it should be connected to the new system. They should be striping down the old system soon. If you haven't yet had to retune your channel 4, discovery and E4 then they haven't yet switched you over yet.

One other thing to note they offer a new DTV package thats only 20 euro's month. I don't know the in's and outs but from the look of things you upgrade to the DTV value pack and end up paying less that your currently paying for analogue(23.50) . The phone and BB are also worth a look it works out alot cheaper than eircom.

MAJJ

Yep I'm in Ballinteer, connected to that new grey cable and very good picture quality on the TV via their digital PVR box, too. I wiill be going with the b/band too and hear it's excellent but on in a contract for a few more months with another supplier.

Bear in mind I have a strong dislike for NTL, I have a one outage in about 4 months and tech support for quite good and helpful, not want I expected.

PM for details in you need i.e location etc.

VERYinterested

Thanks Ding Dong and Majj, so it looks like the upgrade will happen sooner rather than later, I've put a call in and am waiting to hear back, will probably opt for Broadband if their router suits, when my contract is up. Eircom's wireless modem suits us great though, NTL will probably have a problem if you run more than one computer off theirs if their problem with TV is anything to go by!

DingDong

The new system is live outside your house. If you spot a cable crew they should switch you over. Have a look and see if your neighbors have been switch over you may of been missed. You get a free router if you go for the 20Mb package otherwise its 50 euro. I find it grand for running a xbox desktop and a couple of laptop. Your system should be a hell of alot more reliable now, it predecessor was about 20+ years old.

The tax man

paulm17781 wrote: »

You're not actually being connected to a new network. They're replacing their old network. Once you retune it should be better.

You are been connected to a new network. Completely different design between old and new system. My connection back to the headend didn't involve one inch of fibre optics. Now,the node feeding me is down the end of my road and from there it's fibre all the way back to base. I'd call that a new network. The old network is been stripped away when the new one is fired up.
A small % of areas that have relatively new cabling already in place may not be touched but the feed into those areas will be changed.

@VERYinterested, if your BBC2 is still not as good as other channels after the switch over,don't pull your hair out,it's just the last run of cable letting you down i.e. the drop into your house. Simple replacement of this will have everything spot on.

VERYinterested

The tax man wrote: »

@VERYinterested, if your BBC2 is still not as good as other channels after the switch over,don't pull your hair out,it's just the last run of cable letting you down i.e. the drop into your house. Simple replacement of this will have everything spot on.

This is how it began two years ago, I reported the poor reception, they came out replaced the drop and the box inside the house, made no difference. So once they connect me to the new cable, all will be well.

Ding Dong, none of the houses on the road/surrounding roads have been switched over yet, I'll keep an eye out for a crew, thanks.

The tax man

VERYinterested wrote: »

This is how it began two years ago, I reported the poor reception, they came out replaced the drop and the box inside the house, made no difference. So once they connect me to the new cable, all will be well.

You'll be fine with that drop so.

VERYinterested

We were connected to the new service yesterday and unfortunately BBC 2 is still very hazy/grainy. It's not as bad as it was before, it is watchable, so I've booked a service call.